The Grand Duke was the fourteenth and final Savoy Opera written by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. In the fictional German grand duchy of Pfennig-Halbpfennig, the miserly, mean-spirited Grand Duke, Rudolph, has made himself deeply unpopular with his people. Members of Ernest Dummkopf's theatrical company are plotting to assassinate Rudolph and promote Ernest to the Dukedom. They guard their plot with a unique secret signal: the practice of eating a sausage roll! However, when the troupe’s leading comedian. Ludwig, accidentally reveals their plans to the Grand Duke’s private detective, a notary suggests using an old law of the 'Statutory Duel', which is due to expire the next day. This bloodless duel is resolved through drawing cards, with the loser simply declared to be dead (but then able to come back to life the following day when the law expires). Ludwig wins against Ernest and soon inveigles his way into Rudolph’s court. When Rudolph fears that an old betrothal contract might get in the way of his forthcoming marriage to the wealthy Baroness Caroline von Krakenfeldt, Ludwig cunningly suggests that they could use the statutory duel law to allow Rudolph to ‘die’ and disappear for a day, by which time the contract will have expired.
With Ludwig now the Grand Duke, he now finds himself claimed by not one but four women as their husband. In the midst of the chaos, the notary returns to explain that the statutory duel law decrees that the Ace counts lowest, and Ludwig's victories over both Ernest and the Grand Duke are therefore invalid. Ludwig is returned to his first love, Lisa, Ernest marries the troupe’s leading lady, and Rudolph must honor his betrothal contract to the Princess of Monte Carlo.
The Grand Duke guide sections
